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Join us at our family-owned lodge on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where the rainforest meets the sea. Located in the community of Bamfield in Barkley Sound, we offer an immersive experience surrounded by nature, ocean, and a welcoming coastal spirit.
49 Michelsens Lane, Bamfield, British Columbia BC V0R 1B0 Canada
Pacific Sounds Lodge
5 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
I don't think words can capture how magical this place is. It is a glorious escape from the outside world of noise, stress, running around. And yet, we were never bored or lacking in things to do! The location is saturated with life: the ocean, verdant temperate rainforests, tide pools filled with aquatic creatures, scenic views everywhere. Not to mention bald eagles, bears, seals, whales and all sorts of living things! The hummingbirds on the porch who entertained us at breakfast. Russ is a lovely and knowledgeable guide to it all. And chef Jeannie made us feel so well cared for and deliciously fed. This is the special kind of place that makes you want to abandon your old life and be adopted into this wonderful community.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Amazingly there are NO ticks here! Some mosquitoes, but the ocean breezes keep them in check....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Truly an amazing few days! From the minute we arrived at the seaplane dock where Scott was waiting for us to our final goodbyes at the same dock, our stay was perfect. The lodge itself is large and comfortable with plenty of seating and stunning views. There are binoculars on the fireplace for guests to use and fascinating books scattered around on subjects from marine biology to local history. The beds are divine...probably the most comfortable I have ever experienced outside of my own home.
The food! I could write a whole book about the glorious food lovingly prepared by Jeanne and Hugo. The wine choices by Jen were always perfect accompaniments to the menu. Every meal was a treat for the senses and in between meals, tasty snacks and treats would appear as if by magic. The Outer Shores Lodge power balls were a particular favourite.
Scott was a perfect host. Every day he would help us plan our activities for the day and then execute those plans. There is so much to do! Hiking, tide-pooling, zodiac rides along the shore looking for bears, sea lions, eagles, etc. No two days were alike and activities were as strenuous or easy as each member of our group preferred. A highlight for me was an evening spent with Keats, a Knowledge Keeper from the Huu-ay-aht First Nation. His story telling, drumming and singing touched us all deeply.
Each day ended with us climbing up the bluff next to the lodge and watching the glorious sunset. So beautiful!
One caution for seniors...you must be sufficiently fit to clamber in an out of a float plane if that is your mode of transportation, hop into and out of a zodiac and walk short distances on hilly, uneven terrain. I certainly plan on keeping myself in as good shape as possible in order to return to this incredible place again.
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Date of stay: August 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Outer Shore Lodge in Bamfield, BC, is a hidden gem on Vancouver Island. The lodge is nestled among towering trees and overlooks the stunning Pacific Ocean, providing a serene and picturesque setting for a getaway.
The accommodations at Outer Shore Lodge are cozy and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. The staff are friendly and attentive, making sure that guests have everything they need to enjoy their time at the lodge.
One of the highlights of staying at Outer Shore Lodge is the delicious and locally sourced food. The meals are expertly prepared and served in a beautiful dining room with panoramic views of the ocean.
In addition to the comfortable accommodations and delicious food, Outer Shore Lodge offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, such as kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching. The lodge also provides guided tours of the surrounding area, giving guests the opportunity to learn more about the history and natural beauty of Bamfield.
Overall, Outer Shore Lodge is a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature. I highly recommend a stay at this peaceful and charming lodge in Bamfield, BC.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After our Haida Gwaii boat trip with Russell (skipper and marine biologist) on the Passing Cloud, we were very confident that the Outer Shores Lodge experience would be equally remarkable. And it was. As the only ecolodge in Bamfield (the other 13 are deep sea fishing) it hits every note. Having a intertidal “front lawn” was delightful as we could explore and learn from co-owner Scott, also a marine biologist. (Ask him about Amina, his favorite sea urchin as well as sculpin pedicures.). The temperate forest, beach, stacks, kayaking, zodiac, bears, night sky, island paths, and birds create the perfect environment to explore, muse, learn, observe and even study, as we were lucky to participate in data gathering with Russell and his wife Rebecca (marine biologist) and son Dylan on an outer island. All of this wrapped in the comfort and aesthetics of the well-appointed lodge and topped off with the jewel of Jeanne’s outstanding meals. She prepares the most delicious AND NOURISHING meals! Our after dinner evening walk on the town’s waterfront boardwalk is a fond memory. The lodge is ideal for larger groups such as family or work retreats. We happened to luck out and be the only guests during our stay and we basked in it.
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Date of stay: June 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Go!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was an outstanding and memorable lodge. The location has an ancient Indigenous history and the lodge has a relaxed elegance like it's always been there waiting to offer exciting experiences, incredible food and fascinating eco-excursions. The opportunity to snorkel, paddle, swim, hike, explore the tide pools or simply sit and read meant there was no lack of experiences. And the people running it truly love to share their knowledge so guests feel welcome and part of the rich local ecology.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Come looking to discover a rich world of nature and enjoy extraordinary food.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a wonderful experience we had at Outer Shores! We were there for a special family event and it could not have been more perfect. Scott was an incredible host, ready to take us boating or tide pooling or hiking, or to just leave us to soak in the beauty of this amazing place. The accommodation was welcoming and perfect for our group of 12.
The food was so delicious, fresh and artfully presented, with special dietary needs taken into account. Jeannie and Erika worked so hard to make every meal a delight. Simon helped us lug our baggage and served as chauffeur and boatman with equal aplomb.
We spent six nights at Outer Shores and we could have happily stayed even longer. It was a very memorable time for all our family. Absolutely wonderful!
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for my 30th birthday & being here made for the best weekend of my life - truly this house is so comfortable, accommodating, & had everything we could possibly imagine. Between the amazing healthy food that Jeanne (the chef) whipped up, to the activities led by Scott, fresh uni caught directly from the bay, a gorgeous bluff to watch the sunset, hot tub, nearby nature walks, whale/animal watching, snorkeling/kayaking, the insanely comfy beds, the level of service & accommodation, the list goes on & on.
If you’re looking for a unique stay, IMO this place beats out places like Amangiri. I loved the home-y ness, how connected you feel to the nature & the land, the personal connection with Scott/Jeanne/other folks who work there. Jeanne is telepathic, able to whip up the most delicious meals exactly how we wanted & always had yummy snacks just when we started to feel hungry. Bamfield itself is simply the most magical place teaming with wildlife, steeped in nature / culture, home to the nicest people you’ll meet (+ delicious fresh food) && at the heart of it all is Outer Shoes. Do yourself a favor and book multiple days, you’ll have the hardest time leaving. Our biggest regret is not having more time learning about the nearby marine life & First Nation history. This is the BEST ecotourism lodge & you have to stay here.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second stay with Outer Shores but our first at Outer Shores Lodge. The first, a pre-pandemic week spent on their 72’ wooden schooner SV Passing Cloud in the Great Bear Rain Forest of British Columbia, exceeded all expectations.
Given our previous experience with Outer Shores hospitality, we had high expectations of the four nights stay at the Outer Shores Lodge in Bamfield. Our expectations were not only met but exceeded.
Our host, the principal and founder of Outer Shores, was Russ Markell, a PhD in marine life sciences, a patient and thoughtful educator when it comes to the BC marine environment and BC’s indigenous peoples as well as a magnificent inn keeper, boat handler and host. When you ‘join up’ as an Outer Shores’ guest it’s an immersive experience that leaves one well rested, well wined & dined and better educated on matters concerning our BC Coast and history.
Each day was as busy, or as relaxing, as we wanted with outings on the Zodiac to many different locations. Wildlife sightings-particularly birds-were numerous. When we wished, Bamfield or a local beach was close at hand.
We would be remiss to not mention the kitchen staff and the magic performed there. Led by Julie and Ben the food, prepared from local ingredients, was a marvel of both imagination and presentation that never failed to hit the mark. Each meal was complemented with a marvelous selection of BC Wines.
Perhaps the greatest compliment one can pay an innkeeper is to long to return one day. To this we say “We can hardly wait!”
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's hard to sum up everything that is great about a stay at Outer Shores Lodge. Despite the long trip to get there (our van driver to/from Nanaimo, Ron, was amazing though), it is so worth it. From the time you get there, to the time that you [don't really want to] leave, there is so much adventure, relaxation, great food, and fun activities that you can hardly believe you crammed so much into, in our case, four days. You feel in equal parts pampered (meals, including appetizers and wine on the deck, the hot tub!) and challenged with physical outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling (good thing for the exercise, or else with Jeanne and Erica's delicious meals you'd gain ten pounds!). If you are on the fence about going here, get off of it! You won't regret your stay, I assure you.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:The activities every day (which you can opt into or out of) are all included. The owners are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely loved our stay at Outer Shores Lodge in Bamfield, BC! The breathtaking beach and stunning scenery set the perfect backdrop for our getaway. Scott, the owner, was incredible—his hospitality truly made our trip. He helped us plan and execute every detail with ease, ensuring we had an unforgettable experience.
The highlight of our stay was the amazing boat ride where we spotted whales, bears, and sea lions. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our accommodations were comfortable and perfect for our large group, providing a cozy retreat after our daily adventures.
Jeanne, our chef, prepared the most amazing 5-star meals using fresh, local ingredients. Every meal was a culinary delight that added an extra touch of luxury to our stay.
Highly recommend Outer Shores Lodge for anyone seeking a memorable adventure with top-notch hospitality and beautiful surroundings!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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